Method and apparatus for building construction



Aug. 25, 1925.

w. n. Mms-us METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BILDING CONSTRUCTION 2 Shasta-Sham l `Filed Aug. 16. 1924 maho/z mll-. E11-LR. Mathis W ,m nu

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W. R. MATHIE- METHOD AND APPARATUS POR BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug/1e.

1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 n aufnimmt? vic lCE.

WILLIAM It. MATHIS, OF ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BUILDNG CONSTRUCTION.

Application filed August 16, 1924. Serial No. 732,557.

To all whom t 'may concern:

Be it known that l, `WiLLmM R. Mnrriis, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Petersburg, in the county of Pinellas and State of Florida, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods and Apparatus for Building Construction, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to building construct-ion of the character having incorporated therein cementitious material, such as concrete, and hollow tile, although the apparatus may be used for the formation of foundation walls, curbs, columns, pilasters, etc., made wholly or in part of concrete.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide methods and apparatus for the construction of walls that are impervious to moisture, provided with continuous dead air spaces, from foundations to roofs, and which may be constructed of comparatively inexpensive material by unskilled labor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method of building construction Where certain units incorporated in the construction, such as hollow tile, aies in supporting and leveling forms, and gauging the space between forms used in the placing and shaping of ccmentitious material of the character which rapidly sets.

A further object of the invention is to provide a form support which is readily adjustable to adapt it to use for the construction of walls, columns, pilasters, etc., of various widths; capable of being quickly released to facilitate moving of the forms after the cementitious material has become sufficiently set to be self sustaining; and which is capable of firmly supporting the form elements and permitting of substitution of such elements when worn or defective, and when it is desirous of adapting the apparatus for the formation of courses of different heights, or columns or pilasters of different widths.

Another object of the invention is to provide form supports which are inexpensive to manufacture and light in weight, being of that character that they may be made mainly of standard rolled angle metallic sections.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which drawings;

Figure l is a plan view of a hollow wall in the course of construction, and showing apparatus used in the construction thereof also in plan, a portion of the form being broken away to disclose details.

F ig. 2 is a vertical sectional view on the line 2 2 of Figure 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view on the line 3 3 of Figure l.

Fig. 4- is a similar view on the line 4-4 of Figure l.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged elevation of what is hereinafter termed an adjusting and retaining device for form members.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line 6,--6 of Figure 2.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the elements of a retaining device used in adjusting the apparatus to the particular requirements of a ob.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a completed wall portion.

ln the drawings, wherein similar characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, A designates a structure, such as a building wall comprising a plurality of wall sections B in face-to-face spaced apart relation longitudinally of the wall and each of an integral mass of concrete, and a plurality of hollow tiles C embedded in and bonding together the sections B; and D apparatus used in the construction of concrete structures, and in the present example adapted for the construction of the wall A, and comprising a pair of sides E, a plurality of adjusting and retaining devices F, for the sides E, and air space forms G.

rlhe wall A is characterized by the inclusion of a large number of tiles C, preferably of ordinary construction and of which there are many standard sizes. By the use of hollow dense terra cotta tiles, the wall may be rendered impervious to moisture and a dead air space l0 provided between the wall sectionsB which is continuous from foundation to roof and not isolated into vertical shafts because of the tiles being arranged in staggered relation, and of hollow construction. ln the construction of the wall, the tiles may have their end portions embedded in the wall sections B so that the end faces of the tiles are flush with the finished outer face of the wall, although this is not essential, and it is preferred to dispose concrete 11 in some of the hollow portions of the tile, preferably the outermost hollow portions, so as to more securely fix the tiles in place and bond the two wall sections B together.

Of the apparatus D, the sides E may be of any suitable material, and in the example shown are intended to extend longitudinally of the wall as shown in Figure l and are of a depth slightly greater than the product of ,the batch of concrete it is desired to form thereby in conjunction with the air space forms In the examples shown the devices F each comprise a cross member 12, a pair of brackets 13, devices 14, such as screws, for securing the sides E to the brackets 13, devices 15 for adjustablj-,fv securing the brackets 13 to the cross member 12, and a minor bracket 16 adjustably secured to the bracket and abutting against the edge of the side E supported by the bracket.

Each crossl member 12 is preferably made of two parallel spaced apart members 17 such as rolled metallic angle sections arranged with their legs 18 in confronting relation, and their legs 19 extending outwardly, and suitable spaces 20 between the legs 18, secured in place as by rivets 21 and preferably arranged adjacent the ends and cen tral portion of the cross member 12. For a purpose to be subsequently set forth it is preferred to provide a plurality of teeth 22 arranged in spaced relation longitudinally of the cross member. These cross members are made relatively long so as to be disposed transversely of and extend beyond the pair of sides E, as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The brackets 13 are preferably made rigid by the provision of diagonal base members 23 which connect the .right angular-ly arranged legs 24 and 25, all preferably being made of rolled angular metallic sections, webs of the braces 23 serving as spacers, in conjunction with spacers 26 for holding the angular sections in spaced apart relation in a manner somewhat similar to the use of spaces 20 hereinbefore described. Each leg 24 may be provided with a plurality of openings 27, any one of which may receive one of the devices 14 for securing the sides E to such leg, and also a plurality of openings 28, any one of which may receive the shank of a bolt 29 carried by the minor bracket 16, the bolt shank receiving a nut 30 for a. purpose to be more fully set forth hereinafter.

The spacers 26 carry bolts 31, the shanks 32 of which extend through the space between the members 17 of the cross member 12, the shanks 32 receiving nuts 34 adapted to be turned tight against washer elements 35, more clearly shown in Figure 7, having a perforation 36 for the reception of the bolt shank, and an outwardly turned flange 37 adapted to enga-ge any one of a number of the teeth 22, It is thus to be Observed that leg 25 of each bracket being adjustable longitudinally of the cross member 12, may be retained in an adjusted position by the engagement of the flange 37 of the washer element 35, with any pair of selected teeth 22, so that the apparatus may be adapted for the construction of walls of different widths, and permitting the apparatus to be readily disengaged from the wall after the concrete has set to that extent where it is self sustaining.

In a similar manner, sides either deeper or shallower than those shown at E may be placed in operative relation to the brackets 13, and the minor bracket 16 adjusted so as to firmly support these sides, which are of considerable length.

In the example shown, the air space forms G each comprise a pair of sides 40 in spaced apart relation, detachable means 41 for limiting the movement of the sides away from one another, means 42 between the sides for separating` them to the limit, and preferably a hood 43, which facilitates the placing of the batch of concrete as will be described more fully hereinafter.

The sides 40 may be of any suitable material., such as wood, and preferably of a length to extend between and engage at ends. adjacent tiles C. They are preferably in depth equal to the height of the tile and are supported, in practice, upon one of the tiles which has been embedded in the set concrete, and by their end engagement with the tiles assembled to be embedded in the batch which will be shaped by these sides. The devices 41 may comprise hoo is 44, pivotally connected as by eyes 45 to onel of the confronting faces of the sides 40, these hooks adapted for cooperation with eyes 46 carried by the other confronting face, in a. manner obvious from an inspection of the drawings. The eyes 45 and 46 may be of the ordinary screw-eye type and hence adjustable by being turned, so that devices 41 made in this way are adjustable to some extent, so as to accurately limit movement of the sides 40, one from another. They also permit of ready release, when it is desired to remove these air spaced .forms from engagement with the set concrete. The devices 42 are preferably made of two wedges 47 and 48, the former being secured to one of the confronting faces of the sides 40, as by nails 49, and having their smaller ends 50 uppermost, while the wedges 48 are loose and adapted for engagement with the wedges 47 and the other confronting face of the sides 40. lt is thus to be observed that the devices 42 may be quickly released by drawing upwardly on the wedges 48, when it is desired to remove the air space form from the set concrete, and also these air space forms may be quickly placed for reuse by driving or tapping the wedges 48 into place.

The hood 43 is preferably of inverted V-shape having legs 51 carried by the upper portions of the sides 40, as by the provision of feet 52 fo-rmed by doubling sheet metal upon itself, with a depending flange. 53 formed on the bottom of each foot 52. This hood may be constructed so that there is an inherent tendency for the legs 51 to move toward each other, thus making it necessary to spring the hood into place, being retained in place by the flanges 53 engaging the outer faces of the sides 40. This renders the hood adjustable and its primary function is to prevent concrete from dropping into the dead air space 10 as the batch of concrete is being placed. The hood may be removed as the concrete being placed reaches the t-op of the sides, and it is preferred to make the cross members 12 relatively narrower than the width of the tiles C so that a ortion of the tiles are expose-d laterally of the cross pieces, as clearly shown in Figure 1, thus permitting the concrete to be smoothed off to a level flush with the top of the tiles, and the sides E and 40, and before the cementitious material becomes permanently set, the upper surface may be scratched or otherwise treated so that the next succeeding batch will form one integral mass therewith.

The most important steps in the method of constructing the wall, consists in superimposing the tiles C upon the foundation or wall portion previously formed, arranging the tiles in such spaced apart relation as they will be required to effectively bond the two wall sections together, and to then support the forms or apparatus by th-e aid of these tiles. This does not require skilled labor for anyone who can handle a level and a plumb may, with a little attention, practice the method. The tiles being arranged in spaced apart relation on the foundation or wall portion previously formed, the apparatus may now be disposed into op rative relation to the foundation or wall portion and tiles, arranging the cross members 12 upon the tiles. Tt is not necessary that there be a cross member l2 for every tile, for as shown in Figure l, every other tile may be used to support a cross member and the weight carried thereby. The cross members having been so arranged, the brackets 13 may now be moved toward each other so as to engage the tiles laterally, after which the devices 15 are used to secure the brackets in place with respect to the cross members. The air space forms G may now be placed either resting upon the foundation previously formed, or upon the sup-erjacent tiles as clearly shown in Figure 3, these air space forms alsol engaging the sides of the tiles laterally. Of course, if desired, the air space forms may first be placed and used as a gage for spacing the tiles, after which the cross members 12 together with the parts carried thereby, may be placed, but in practice the tiles may be readily placed accurately, after the wall has been started, by` observing the posit-ion of tiles in superjacent portions of the wall. After the batch of concrete has been introduced into the space between the forms and has set suticiently to be self sustaining, the forms are released and reused in a manner obvious from the foregoing.

ln the event that some of the tiles are distorted, as sometimes results during the heat treatment, it is of course understood that wedges, such as of slate may be interposed either between the cross pieces 12 and the tiles, or the sides E and the tiles.

llhile I have herein described the apparatus as particularly well adapted for use in the construction of hollow walls, it is of course understood that the apparatus may be used in the construction of curbs, columns, pilasters, etc., and may also be used in the construction of foundations upon which the hollow wall construction may be supported. Because of the manner in which portions of the hollow tile may be filled with concrete and form an integral mass with other of the concrete of the wall sections, the wall may be made relatively thin, yet impervious to moisture, because of the use of dense terra cotta tile, and the continuous air space, which is not interrupted, due to the staggered relation of the tiles in the wall.

T claim:

1. Those steps in the method of wall construction which consists in superimposing tiles upon foundation or wall portions previously formed, and supporting and gaging the space between forms adapted for shaping cementitious material about said tiles, by elements of the forms engaging the tops and sides of said tiles.

2. Those steps in the method of constructing` a wall in courses of commingled tiles and cementitious material, which consists in superimposing tiles of a height substantially equal to the new course to be formed, upon a foundation or wall portions previously formed, and supporting the forms, adapted for shaping cementitious material about said tiles, wholly by elements of the forms engaging the tops of said tiles.

3. Those steps in the method of wall construction which consists in superimposing tiles upon foundation or wall portions previously formed, and supporting and gaging the space between forms, adapted for shaping cementitious material about said tiles, by elements of the forms engaging the sides of said tiles.

4:. Those steps in the method of hollow wall construction which consists in first, superimposing tiles in spaced apart relation longitudinally of the foundation previously formed, second, supporting forms upon said tiles for shaping the outer faces of the batches of cementitious material to be placed upon said foundation, and supporting air space forms upon the foundation for shaping the inner confronting faces of the said batches of cementitious material, third, placing the cementitious material between the forms to embed the end portions of the tiles therein and form wall sections in bonded spaced apart relation, fourth, superimposing tiles in spaced apart relation longitudinally of the wall sections thus formed and arranging these tiles in staggered relation to those previouslyT placed, and fifth, supporting forms upon said second placed tiles for shaping the outer faces of batches of cementitious material to be placed on the wall sections and supporting air space forms upon the tiles first placed, for shaping the inner confronting faces of said last mentioned batches of cementitious material.

5. Those steps in the method of hollow wall construction which consists in first, superimposing tiles in spaced apart relation longitudinally of the foundation previously formed, second, supporting forms upon said tiles for shaping the outer faces of the batches of cementitious material to be placed upon said foundation, and supporting air space forms upon the foundation for shaping the inner confronting faces of the said batches of cementitious material, third, placing the cementitious material between the forms to embedwtheend portions Vofthe pt ilestherein and form wallsections inv bonded spaced apailt relation, fourth, supernnsupporting forms upon said second placed tiles for shaping the outer faces of batches of cementitious material to be placed on the wall sections and supporting air space forms upon the tiles first placed, and in engagement with the sides of the tiles second placed for shaping the inner confronting faces of said last mentioned batches of cementitious material.

6. In a form for concrete structures, the

combination with a pair of sides in spaced apart relation between which batches of the concrete may be placed, of a cross member comprising a pair of parallel, spaced apart members, disposed transversely of and eX- tending beyond said pair of sides, a pair of rigid angle brackets with one of each of their legs operatively connected to the outer faces of said sides and having their other legs slidable longitudinally of said cross member, and clamp devices carried by said last mentioned legs and said cross member for retaining said brackets in adjusted positions along said cross member, each clamp device including a shank extending between 5 the spaced members of said cross member.

7. In a form for concrete structures, the combination with a pair of sides in spaced apart relation between which batches of the concrete may be placed, of a cross member transversely of and extending beyond said pair of sides, a pair of rigid angle brackets with one of each of their legs operatively connected to the outer faces of said sides and having their other legs slidable longitudinally of said cross member,clamp devices carried by said last mentioned legs and said cross members for retaining said brackets in adjusted positions along said cross member, and a. minor bracket member foreach of said first mentioned legs adjustable longitudinally thereof and abutting against the edge of the respective side connected therewith.

8. In a form for concrete structures, the combination with a pair of sides in spaced apart relation between which batches of the concrete may be placed, of a cross member transversely of and extending beyond said pair of sides, said cross member provided with a plurality of teeth arranged longitudinally thereof, a pair of rigid angle brackets with one of each of their legs thereof operatively connected to the outer face of said sides and having their other legs slidable longitudinally of said cross member, and clamp devices carried by said last mentioned legs and said cross members for retaining said brackets in adjusted positions along` said cross member, each clamp device including an element adapted to engage with any of a number of said teeth of the cross member.

9. An air space form for concrete construction comprising in combination, a pair of sides in spaced apart relation, detachable means carried by said sides for limiting the movement thereof away from one another, said means operable from between the said sides and wedge means between said sides for separating them to the limit.

10. An air space form for concrete construction comprising in combination, a pair of sides in spaced apart relation, detachable means carried by said sides for limiting` the movement thereof away from one another, a wedge member rigid with one of the confronting faces of said sides, and a second wedge member for engagement but movable with respect to said first wedge member and the other confronting face of said sides for separating said sides to the limit.

11. An air space form for concrete construction comprising in combination, a pair of sides in'spaced apart relation and movable toward and from each other, means between said sides for holding them in adjusted spaced relation, and an inverted V-shaped hood with its legs carried by the upper portions of said sides covering said means and adjustable to the spacing of said sides.

WILLIAM R. MATI-IIS. 

